The Question:

The Answer:

Although golf's place of origin is uncertain, Scotland has the
strongest claim. As early as 1457 it was banned there as a threat to
archery practice, which was considered vital to national
defense.

There is no definitive origin of the word "golf," but there are
a few possibilities. It could be from the Dutch word "kolf," which
means "club," or it could be from the Scottish word "gowf," which
means to hit with an open hand.